Many SUVs have grown into giant luxury barges incapable of tackling little more than snow-covered pavement, which is why off-road devotees and weekend warriors love the 2009 Nissan Xterra. Nissan's most affordable SUV is renowned for its rugged body-on-frame construction, powerful standard V6 engine and insatiable appetite for all things dirty and boulder-strewn. Although it faces tough competition from Jeep's Wrangler four-door, the Xterra remains an attractive prospect. Innovative features, such as a built-in first aid kit, adjustable cargo-hold track system and a roof-mounted drying rack, are geared toward those with active lifestyles, while the Xterra's civilized interior and comfortable ride make it perfectly suitable as a daily driver.

You'll Like This Car If...

The 2009 Nissan Xterra is ideally suited for the active adventurer highlighted in so many Xterra commercials. An affordable price tag allows just about anyone to own this tough Nissan SUV, and a civilized ride makes it easy to live with in day-to-day driving.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you're looking for economy over power, the Xterra's new V6 won't impress you. The Xterra's ride, though not rough, is a far cry from the car-like comfort provided by the Honda CR-V and Toyota Highlander.

What's New for 2009

Nissan updates the Xterra for 2009 with a freshened front end, new roof-mounted off-road lights (Off-Road trim only), new wheel designs, seat materials and colors. Roof-mounted curtain side-impact airbags with roll-over sensors are made standard, while the Xterra's option packages have been simplified to just two choices: Technology and X Gear.

Driving the Xterra

Driving Impressions
Around town and on the highway, the 2009 Nissan Xterra rides and handles impressively; it tracks straight, rides smooth and handles even higher-speed sweeping turns as calmly and confidently as...

a solid sedan. Its impressive V6 powerplant, a modified version of the engines found in the company's 350Z and G35, quietly delivers power whenever you need it. The Xterra performed admirably in our off-road tests, negotiating soggy access roads and fording streams deep enough to think twice about crossing. And judging from our off-road experience in another Xterra sibling, the Nissan Frontier pickup, the Xterra would likely traverse large boulders just as well.

Favorite Features

Versatile Cargo AreaIn addition to no-carpet and Easy Clean surfaces, the Xterra's cargo area features a total of 10 cargo hooks in the sides, ceiling and in the adjustable Utili-track Cargo Channel System in the floor.

Side StepsIntegrated into the body of the vehicle, the Xterra's side steps make it easy to access and secure cargo at the rear of the roof.

With a tubular roof rack, stepped roof and bump on its back, the Xterra looks as if it were born to be a long way from pavement. The 2009 Nissan Xterra appears to sit on the road with a comforting sense of security, thanks in large part to its long wheelbase and short overhangs, as well as its wide, pronounced fender flares. Its "angled strut grille" serves as the new face for many of Nissan's trucks and SUVs. The bin at the front of the roof rack features a latchable cover, and the rear bumper includes integrated side steps for easier access to the roof.

The Xterra's V6 pulls as strongly on the highway as it does climbing rocks and dirt mounds. Ample torque translates into ample towing ability, but all that power comes at a price, and you'll pay it at the pump.

"I love my truck! Seats are easy to change from sitting to flat-plenty of space for seating, both front and back. Drives awesome--a tad bit tippy-feeling if it is empty, but otherwise, rides like a truck--meaty, not "floating" all over the road. Handles speed great and eats up bumpy and 4x4 driving like a race horse. 4x4 driving during winter even on icy roads is great. Engine and power are great when its needed--Best vehicle I have ever owned."

Capability plus Liveability

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating

9/10

Value

10/10

Reliability

10/10

Quality

10/10

Performance

8/10

Styling

10/10

Comfort

9/10

Pros: "Capability, comfort, style"

Cons: "Gas mileage"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Purchased my Xterra Pro-4X to find a happy medium between a Jeep Wrangler and an Acura TL. I've owned both. Two ends of the spectrum! Needed daily driver comfort and amenities and weekend capability on the beach and trails. The Xterra is the perfect combination. Able to take everything I throw at it off-road and comfortable for the daily work commute. Leather interior, technological amenities, room for passengers and cargo. This is a keeper. Only critique is gas mileage but you know that when you purchase. Unfortunate that this is the last year of the Xterra."

BEST 4 X 4 VEHICLE OWN

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating

10/10

Value

10/10

Reliability

10/10

Quality

10/10

Performance

10/10

Styling

10/10

Comfort

10/10

Pros: "ROUGH AND TOUGH"

Cons: "NONE SO FAR"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"BOUGHT THIS UNIT AFTER OUR HYUNDIA SANTA FA 2001 RUSTED OUT. OUR FIRST TRIP WITH IT TO GEORGIA FOR VACATION JUST LOVED THE RIDE AND CONFORT. WIFE WAS WARY AT FIRST BUT LOVES IT AND CLAIMED IT FOR HER SELF SO ITS HER RIDE HENCE NAME SHE CALLS IT FRED I WANTED TONKA FOR ROUGH. OVER ALL WE LOVE IT."

"The 2005 xterra was the fastest 0-60 SUV in production that year. Faster than the Porsche Cayenne. Even after 100,000 with regular oil changes it still rips when I want it to. I learned of the flaw with the radiator and had a trans-cooler put in for $300 before disaster struck. I also had to sink $1200 into the transmission and for that I give it an 8 in quality. Compared to some other brands $1500 over 10 years is pretty darn good.
What I like best about this SUV is its solid build. It drives like a truck, not like a car with a truck body. It has alot of torque and climbs and four-wheels like no other. Very functional interior for outdoors or events, especially with the rubber floor mats and hard plastic fold down hatch.
Lets just say that when I am ready to trade this one in, I'm getting another."

2010 Nissan Xterra

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating

5/10

Value

4/10

Reliability

5/10

Quality

5/10

Performance

5/10

Styling

5/10

Comfort

6/10

Pros: "fun to drive"

Cons: "has no range due to guzzling gas."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"The Nissan Xterra would be a great vehicle, except for its MPG. Mine never did much better than 11 mpg!!! I knew it when I bought it, but like some relationships, I thought I could change it somehow.
I didn't."